Raising A New Generation of Food Producers
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There are many ways to approach farming and raising a new generation of food producers. One of those interesting and experimental ways is being tried right here in Texas and it’s gaining attention both on social media and amongst young farmers and producers themselves. It’s called Cardo’s Farm Project and it started as a Kickstarter project. It’s a community agriculture project based in Denton, Texas. It tries to be an educational model when it comes to sustainable farming since it’s the approach to farming that should get more attention and taught more.
What Is It About?
The community was started by Daniel Moon and Amanda Austin in December of 2010. The goal was for them to provide hands on experience for young farmers that want to create sustainable produce. It’s partly about making enough food for the community and operating a profitable farm, but on the other hand the biggest contribution of the project is in the education.
The project is partly founded by the produce that’s created on the spot and partly by the Kicksstarter backer that do it for perks as is the case with any other Kickstarter project.
Amanda Austin
Amanda Austin is the cofounder of the project and its director. Her family was in the farming business and her interest in healthy food. Her education is the visual arts, but during her time at college Amanda worked on a small farm and in an education center focused on farming.
Her work in farm education goes beyond just farming and focuses on the management and marketing parts of the job.
Daniel Moon
Daniel Moon is also a cofounder of the project. His educational and professional route is a bit more common for a farmer but he still comes from an urban environment. Daniel has a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Science from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec in 2009. He also completed two seasonal apprenticeships on Common Ground Farm in Beacon, NY, two seasons of orchard work in Brewster, NY and migrant farm work throughout northern California.
Daniel used to work as a farm manager on the project, but has since stepped off from that work and the farm is now managed by Marie DeNoon.
Marie DeNoon
Marie is a Denton native. She has master’s degree in women studies and after graduating she volunteered at GRUB, an urban youth farm and food source project in Lubbock, Texas. During 2011 she volunteered on ranches in Arkansas. DeNoon also believes that social justice and sustainable farming can be interconnected.
How the Farm Works
The farm is based on 1/3 of an acre and it focuses on the produce it can sell only. The produce is harvested once every week and all of the produce except those that are used by the owner. They are sold to the local restaurants and local farmers markets as well as individuals who have a deal with the community to buy from them directly.
This gives everyone working on the farm to experience the production and the business side of the work that’s needed to run a farm.
The Restaurants
It’s imperative that those who work in the industry understand the process as s a whole and to know what’s happening with the food after it leaves the farm. This farm in particular works with the local restaurants. These include:
Hannah’s Restaurant – Selections from freshly harvested vegetables can be found on both their standard menu and chef specialties each week.
The Chestnut Tree Tea House and Bistro – Local produce is incorporated in their Thursday-Saturday night revolving dinner menu.
Sweet Water Grill and Tavern Seasonally – It offers Cardo’s Hakurie turnips and greens on their daily menu.
The Cupboard Cafe – Sunflower greens are added to select salads and sandwiches on the cafe’s regular menu.
The Bowllery -This fresh food cafe located near the UNT campus features sunflower greens and wheatgrass.
The produce is also sold by the local shops:
The Cupboard Natural Food Store – Seasonal produce and sunflower greens are stocked on the shelves of the produce department year round.
Compost
Cardo’s Farm Project also cooperates with local businesses and individuals since they produce and sell compost that the farm needs.
Conclusion
Cardo’s Farm Project in an interesting and exciting educational program right here in Denton Texas. It provides a “hands on” approach to farming and teaches young people about growing sustainable produce and selling them within the local community. It’s backed by its own work and by the Kickstarter backers.
The farm produces healthy vegetables and sells it locally. Those who work it are part of the process from start to finish and that’s how they learn about what it takes to be a modern organic farmer in this day and age.
